Sewer problems
Who owns the sewer and water lines between your house and the street?
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
In most U.S. cities, the homeowner owns and pays to repair the sewer lateral and water service line on their property, and the city or utility owns the mains in the street. Where the dividing line falls varies: some cities make owners responsible all the way to the main, even under the street, while others split it at the property line, curb or meter.
The pipes involved
- Sewer lateral (side sewer, building sewer): carries wastewater from your house to the public sewer main.
- Water service line: brings water from the public main, through a curb stop and meter, into your house.
- Curb stop or curb box: the utility's shutoff valve near the street, often the dividing point for water lines.
- Cleanout: a capped access point on the sewer lateral used for clearing and camera inspection.
How cities split responsibility
| City | Line | Owner's responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Sewer | All maintenance, including the connection to the public sewer |
| Kansas City, MO | Water | From the curb stop to the house (Ordinance 78-22) |
| New Orleans | Water and sewer | Main to property line on post-1954 lots, and property line to house |
| New York City | Water and sewer | Both service lines, from the street mains to the building |
| Oakland | Sewer | Private lateral; a compliance certificate is needed to sell |
| Omaha | Sewer | The lateral to the city main, even under the street |
| Portland | Sewer | Part of the lateral; the City maintains the rest (City Code 17.32) |
| Seattle | Sewer | The entire side sewer up to the public main |
What to check before paying for a repair
Locate the defect
A camera inspection with a locator shows exactly where the break is relative to the property line, curb and main. See sewer camera inspection.
Read your city's rule
Your water or sewer utility's website, or city code, says where responsibility changes hands.
Check insurance and warranties
Standard homeowners policies often exclude wear and roots; service line coverage is usually a separate product.
Confirm permits
Work in the street usually needs a separate right-of-way permit from work on private property.
When buying a home
Because owners usually pay for these lines, a sewer scope before buying an older home is one of the best-value inspections you can order. In some places, such as Oakland and nearby East Bay cities, a sewer lateral certificate is required before a sale can close. See sewer line repair and water line repair.
Common questions
Is the sewer line under the street my responsibility?
It depends on the city. In places like Omaha and Seattle, owners are responsible all the way to the main; in others, the city maintains the part in the right-of-way.
Who pays if tree roots from a city tree break my sewer line?
Policies vary by city; many still hold the owner responsible for the lateral, so ask your sewer utility and check your insurance.
Does homeowners insurance cover a broken sewer lateral?
Often not for wear, roots or age; sewer backup and service line coverage are usually separate add-ons.
What is a curb stop?
The utility's shutoff valve on the water service line near the street, often where responsibility changes hands.
Do I need a permit to repair my sewer lateral?
Usually yes, and work in the street often needs a separate right-of-way permit.
Are service line warranties worth it?
They can help if your line is old and you'd be responsible to the main; compare the coverage limit with likely repair costs.
General information; codes vary by location. See our editorial standards.